TRIBUTES have been paid to a former council director who died recently.

Robert Fletcher Mather, known as Bob, died suddenly on Saturday, March 16.

The 67-year-old, who lived in Thursby, to the west of Carlisle, was married to Annette and had two children, Laura and Robbie.

He was also a grandfather of one.

Mr Mather retired from Cumbria County Council in 2008 after more than 20 years’ service with the top-tier authority which he joined in the mid-1980s.

He retired as the council’s director of finance and central services, and was also its deputy chief executive.

On a number of occasions, he served as acting chief executive and was remembered as an “outstanding” person by colleagues and councillors.

Mr Mather went on to become chairman of the Cumbria Community Foundation, a registered charity based in Dovenby, near Cockermouth.

Leading the tributes was the county council’s leader, Stewart Young who broke the news to councillors at a cabinet meeting in Kendal.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Young said: “It was with great shock and sadness that we heard a few days ago about the untimely death of Bob Mather, who for many years was our director of finance, or county treasurer.

“He was responsible for many things including the appointment of Julie Crellin, our current director of finance.

“Bob worked with a lot of our staff over the years and it came as a huge shock.

“As far as we know there had not been any indication.”

Mr Young, the Labour councillor for the Upperby ward, in Carlisle, said Mr Mather’s funeral service would be on Thursday at Carlisle Cathedral.

The service is scheduled to start at 2pm.

Mr Mather was an honorary canon at the cathedral.

The county council cabinet expressed its condolences to Mr Mather’s family.

They have asked for family flowers only with any donations to be shared between Carlisle Cathedral’s Fratry Project and Cumbria Community Foundation.